Denise Picarelli
, Senior AssociateWhy did you choose Booz Allen?
My father worked for Booz Allen and always spoke very highly of its reputation and work, so when I relocated to Northern Virginia I decided to interview here. I was impressed with the people I met on that very first interview—I talked with very senior people in Human Resources who seemed to have a passion for the field.
Why have you chosen to stay at Booz Allen?
I love working here, and I’ve stayed for many reasons. First, I feel there are so many talented people and resources available, people willing to help. Here, when you reach out you get lots of different perspectives, experiences, and guidance. Second, I’ve built solid relationships and have learned from everyone I’ve met.
I’ve also been provided with many opportunities to grow in my career. I look back to where I started and where I am today, and I see I’ve been given opportunities to manage people, to take a lead role. I feel that the leadership team I work for supports and truly believes in its people and gives them the chance to excel. Many times, my managers had more confidence in me than I had in myself, giving me challenges I didn’t think I was ready for—but I took them on and succeeded. Most recently, when my manager left the firm, my team leaders groomed me for the position rather than hiring someone from outside. Here, if you’re motivated, there’re lots of opportunities, and you can really thrive.
What type of work do you do at Booz Allen?
I’m a Human Resources Manager supporting the Organization and Strategy Team in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. I handle complex employee relations issues and support a team working on people-related initiatives. Most recently, I’ve been working on a retention project with client staff, where we’ve identified ways of retaining specific types of talent and recommended ideas for retention that are outside the typical actions senior managers might take.
What excites you about your work?
What excites me is that almost every day I walk into a new challenge—and that keeps me on my toes. There is always a different type of problem to solve. I enjoy being able to look at a problem, dissect it, gather data, and then come up with a viable solution. It is especially rewarding when I watch people take the guidance I give them and turn around a situation.
Do you have a mentor at Booz Allen?
I have several mentors, formal and informal. There are so many people willing to act as mentors here, and I tap into as many people as I can, depending on the type of issue I need guidance on. The people I use as mentors really engage in the process. They are always there. I have one particular mentor I meet with every month. She shares her own experiences and provides me with guidance, and then she always pulls out a book and gives me a section to read that will help me.
What differentiates Booz Allen from other companies that you could work for—what makes Booz Allen special?
There is a unique culture here—the company really encourages collaboration. I see people all around me more than willing to help out for the greater good of the firm, whatever the cause is. What I’ve heard about other companies is that people are mostly out for themselves. That is absolutely not the case here. Everything here is about expanding your network, getting to know people, branching out, and helping your colleagues.
How has Booz Allen helped you be ready for what’s next in your career?
The assessment process has provided my leadership team with ways to create challenging development actions for me—real stretch opportunities. The firm also promotes skill enhancement through things like attending conferences and seminars, external training, and getting certifications. All of this has helped me progress in my career and kept me up to date about what’s going on in my profession. This balance between classroom and on-the-job activities keeps me very well rounded.
How do you help Booz Allen be ready for what’s next? How do you help your clients be ready for what’s next? How has your and your team’s work made an impact for the firm?
All the extra training and the opportunities I’ve been given have helped me stay current with events and trends in human resources. I am able to take that information and pass it on to managers—to keep them informed and prepared for any challenges they may encounter.
Can you talk about a time when you saw one or more of our Core Values displayed?
I see people living the Core Values all the time. Every day, I see examples of dedication to client service, teamwork, and excellence. Last January, I was recognized with the firm’s award for demonstrating the Core Values—it was an extraordinary honor. I was amazed at the response—people I’d worked with 8 years ago sent congratulations! The Core Values are so important here that people I didn’t even know thanked me.
